It is with deep sadness that I acknowledge here the loss of our friend and teammate, Neil Napolitano.A twelve year veteran of the league, Neil was well known throughout the league as a fierce competitor who demanded the best of himself and his mates.Whether you knew him as a worthy opponent, a contributing teammate or as a friend, you got used to seeing him in the middle of the action. I had the privilege of knowing him in each of these capacities and we will sorely miss him.

To his wife, Kristen, and his children, please accept our heartfelt condolences. We offer thanks to you for sharing him with us and for the memories he enriched us with both on and off the field. In kind, we offer also our apologies for taking away from you, some precious time that you might otherwise have shared with your husband and father.

Neil joined the league around 1998 as a member of the Old Bridge Braves. He later took over as manager, changed the name to the Cubs, and led his squad to a League Championship in 2000. A perennial all star, he would also win a 2006 Fall Ball Championship with the East Brunswick Dodgers and most recently he helped the NJ Bears nail down the 2009 League Championship.

News of his death came as great shock even to those of us who knew he was recently battling an illness. Please keep Neil and his family in your thoughts and prayers.